Tramway-bucket.



PATENTED SEPT. 17, 1907. W. S. GEMMBR &: E. J. SCHLEIGHER.

TRAMWAY BUCKET.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20. 1905:

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 866,271. PATENTED SEPT. 1'7, 1907.

W. S. GEMMER & E. J. SGHLEIGHBR.

TRAMWAY BUCKET.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20, 1905.

4 SHEETBSHEET 2.

Event org,

No. 866,271. PATENTED SEPT. 17, 1907.

Y W. S. GEMMER & E. J. SGHLEIGHER.

TRAMWAY BUCKET.

urmouxon FILED NOV. 20, 1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

No. 866,271. PATENTED SEPT. 17, 1907. W. S. GEMMBR & E. J. SGHLEIGHER.

TRAMWAY BUCKET.

APPLICATION TILED NOV. 20, 1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE.

WALTER s. comma AND EMIL J. SCHLEICHER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASVSIGNORS OF ONE- THIRD TO .B RODERICK a BASGOM ROPE COMPANY, OF s'r. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORA- TION OF MISSOURI.

Tamar-Bums.

rmnm Sept. 17,

,' Application flodllo mbor 20,1906. Serial 1. 288,130.

To all whom it may concerm, I

Be it known that we, WALTER S. Gmnum and EIIL J. Scnnarcunn, citizens of the United States, residing to and afterward pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings the traction or hauling-cable is not shown, nor the devices connected with the bucket for. engaging said traction-cable, but only the 'track-cable.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, in which like numbers of reference denote like parts wherever they occur, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a tramway bucket and the means for suspend ing same from' the cable-track, same being partly broken away to show some parts in section; Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, same being partly broken away to show some parts in section; FigrS is a perspective view of the same taken from a point to the rear and to the left of the bucket; Fig. 4is'a perspective view of the bucket and some of the connected parts, same being partly in section and on a scale somewhat enlarged relative to Fig. 3; Fig.- 5 is a perspective view f a modification, said view being taken from a point in front and to the left of the bucket; and Figs. 6 and 7' illustrate two optional forms of a detail of Fig. 5.

The trolley-sheaves 1, borne by the trolley-beam 2, are attached to the pendant-head 3 in the usual manner, and travel upon the track-cable 4.

In former constructions-the pendant 5 has been arranged in the form shown in Fig. 5, with the exception that in Fig. 5, as-well as Figs. 1 and 2, we have shown same looping over thependant-head 3, instead of consisting merely of two straps, the ends of which are screwed or bolted to the pendant head 3, said ends ofthe two straps being unconnected. As clearly shown in Fig. 1 and elsewhere, the loop 6 passes over the pendant-head 3, in a groove or reduced portion formed in same, and merelyto keep same in position the bolts or screws 7 are used to attach the pendant to the pendant shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the rivets or bolts 11 through the bent and twisted ends 8 in two places, as

well as through the bail. The pendant 5 is thus 0011'? nected to the boil 9 at a point well within the extremities of the bail, and preferably at points-over the :bucket 10. The boil 9 is preferably made flat, as shown, in

order that the pendant 5 may be more easilyand more tightly attached thereto, and, also, in order that the pivot plate 12 may be firmly fixed thereto. Such a' plate 12 is attached to each side of the bail 9, and each is provided with a pair of forwardly-projecting lugs 13 affording a bearing for the pintle 14 on which, by means of the ear 15, the latch 16, having the tripping-M11117,

is pivoted. The stop 18 prevents the latch 16'swinging I lower than a predetermined point, namely, a point which brings the beveled portion 19 of the latch 16 ap pro rimately' opposite the projection '20 of theangleiron 21 fixed to the side of the bucket 10, the movement of said latch being thus regulated for reasons which will hereinafter appear. It will be understood that there may be an angle-iron 21, a plate 12, and a latch 16 (with connected parts) provided on both sides of the bucket 10, or, if desired, on only one side thereof. In

the drawings it is shown on both sides in connection with our principal invention, but in the modification shown inFig. 5 the equivalent parts are shown as provided on only one side of the bucket.

The seams of the bucket 10 are faced with exterior angle-irons 22 and interior angle-iron reinforcements 23, or with interior angle-irons 24, as may be desired. The

trunnions 25 are fixed to the sides of the bucket by the castings 26 with which said trunnions are connected in an integral manner, said castings being riveted or bolted to the sides of the bucket 10, the rivets or bolts pass ing not onlythrough the said castings and the sides of the bucket, but also through the reinforcing-plates 27. A strap-loop 28, bolted or otherwise secured to the ends of the bail 9, encircles each trunnion, so that the latter will turn loosely in said loops. To each side of the bucket is secured a bracket 29, said brackets acting as outer-bearings for the trunnions 25 and as bracing-supports therefor, and as means to retain the loops 28 in place on said trunnions, and the trunnions from vertically rising in said loops. The linch-pins 30 pass through the trunnionsexterior to said brackets. When the bucket tilts to empty or to return to its normal position, its pivotal point is in the line of said trunnions, and said pivotal point may be located slightly off the center of gravity, for reasons which will hereinafter appear. The bucketmay also bepivoted on its true center of gravity in. a. modified form thereof hereinafter to be pointed out., 7

further tilting of the bucket and gives it a backward or righting impulse. The edges of the projections 20 are rounded, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, so that when thebucket has been in its tilted or discharging position and has so far righted itself that the projections -20 are brought back to the position where they'engage the bevel 19 of the latch 16, the projections 20 will not bite the beveled portion 19 of the latches 16, but, on account of their rounded form, will slide easily thereon, the beveling thus causing the latches 16 to be raised until the noses 33 thereof ride over the projections 20, and, thereupon, drop into the position shown in Fig. 2 and other figures of the drawings. 7 The latch 16 with its arm 17 is so formed with relation to its pivotal point that the greater weight thereof will fall outward "and naturally tend to seat the latch in the locking position shown in the drawings. Opposite-the beveled portion 19, and on the other side of the nose 33, is another beveled portion 34 which rides easily over the rounded comers of the projection 20 when the latch is tripped by eirterior force applied to the arm 17. It is our intention that said arm 17 shall strike against a projection arranged at the dumping-station, so that the latch 16 will be automatically tripped at the point where it is desired that the contents of the bucket shall be discharged. We have not, however, shown any particular tripping-means in the drawings, nor do we undertake to describe the same here, as that belongs more properly to an application for patent for a tramway system than to the subject-matter of the present application, which is for a tramway bucket and means for supporting, righting, and locking same.

The principal feature of our present invention consists in means for rendering the bucket automatically selfrighting. This consists specifically in providing the bucket 10 with the weight 35, consisting of a piece of bar iron, bolted to the rear wall of the bucket either upon the outside thereof, as shownin Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, or upon the inside thereof, as indicated in Fig. 5, or locating such weight at any other point in or upon said bucket; but generically in the arrangement of thebucket in any suitable manner with relation to a weight or weights in or upon thesame, either attached thereto or formed integral therewith, so that said weight or weights will cause the bucket automat-- drawings, we'have shown the bucket so pivoted that its pivotal point falls slightly forward of the center of gravity of theempty bucket. It will be understood that the center of gravity of the bucket when loaded "will be forward of said pivotal point, so that when the arm 17 strikes the prearranged obstruction and thereby trips the latch 16, the bucket instantly tips forward and discharges'its contents. The loss of its contents in this manner changes its center of gravity, which is then to the rear of its pivotal point (particularly by reason of the weight 35), and this causes the bucket, without external force or manual operation, iunnebucket may be provided, through which the rainwater or melted snow can escape. While we show the weight in the form of a fixed bar 35, and in acertain position at the rear of the bucket, and while it is obvious that saidweight might be changed from said position, or embodied in the lugs 31, yet we donot limit ourselves to either of these described forms of application and arrangement of the selfrighting weight. The bucket might, for instance, be so constructed as to distribute the weight through its side and end walls in a manner to obtain the desired results; or, instead of one weight being placed at the rear, as shown in the drawings, a plurality of weights might be used, one on the front end, and the other (relatively heavier) on the rear end of the bucket. Moreover, instead of the bucket being pivoted off its center of gravity, as hereinabove described, the bucket may be pivoted on its center of gravity, and weights suitably distributed backward and forward thereof, so as to accomplish the automatic return of the bucket to the loading-position. We regard all such changes as being within the spirit and scope of our invention. l

In Figs. 5, 6, and 7, a modified form of the pendant diatelyto return to its normal upright position, ready 5 is shown, in which the pendant consists of a single strap running in a loop 6 over the pendant-head 3, the brace 37 strengthening the structure, and the arms of the pendant 5 being attached directly to the trunnions 25, there being no bail for the bucket 10. The latch is substantially the same as that hereinabove described, and operates in the same manner, but, on account of the absence of the bail to the bucket with its flat sides turned forward, a different arrangement for the pivoting of the car 15 is made. An extension 38 from the brace 37, together with one arm of the pendant 3, provides a bearing for the pintle 14, and a block 39 taking the place of the stop 18 is riveted between the same members, as. shown in Fig. 6. In Fig. 7 the shoulder 40 formed in the extension 38 is substituted for the block 39 and stop 18, servingthe same purpose as both.

It will'be obvious that many minor changes in the form and arrangement of the several parts may. be made without departing from the nature and spirit of our invention, and, also, that in the description thereof some relative terms have been used; as for instance,

the termsfront and rear, forward and backward, may be changed to correspond to a reversal in the construction of the device.

The operation of the device is as follows: The bucket being at the loading-station, and having received a load, movement is imparted to the trolley-sheaves from which the bucket is suspended by the pendant,

and, thereupon, the bucket moves toward the unload-- ing-station. When it reachesthe unloading-station the arm or trigger 17 strikes upon a prearranged ob;

struction, which trips the latch 16. The bucket then tilts forward and discharges its contents. As soon as it. is empty, the counterweight or arrangement of weights returns the bucket to its upright position, during which movement. 'the bevel 1i) strikes on the projection 20, whereby the latch 16 rides over said projection until the nose 33 has passed same, whereupon the nose 33 drops to the position shown, for mstance, in Fig. 2, the bucket having by that time reached its upright. position, and being thus securely locked from accidental tipping.

Having thus described our said invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is.

1. The combination in a swinging bucket or the bucket walls. having lugs thereon, means for pivoting the bucket, and a stop located in the are or travel 01. said lugs, whereby the rotation oi said bucket is limited and a return impulse imparted thereto, said stop being part of the bearing for the buckct's pivot.

2. A tramway bucket having walls and trunnions connected thereto, bearings tor said trunnions, and supports projecting from saidwails and altording supplementary bearing for said trunnions.

3. A tramway bucket having walls and trunnions connected thereto, bearings for said trunnions, and brackets projecting from said walls and altording supplementary hearing for said trunnions.

-i. in a tramway bucket, the combination of a wall having a projection therefrom, and a latch pivoted to a member independent of said wall, said latch comprising a plurality of members, one of them receiving said pivotal comm-lion another serving as a tripping device, and a jiiird terminating in a hook, the nose oil which projects backward underneath said projection at an angle of less than ninety degrees thereto.

5. in a tramway bucket, the combination of a wall having a projection therefrom, and a latch pivoted to a member independent ofsaid wall, said latch comprising a trinity of radially-projecting members by the shortest one of which said latch is pivoted, the longest one forming a handle and being arranged at an obtuse angle to said shortest arm, and an arm of medium length terminating in a hook engaging said projection.

ii. In a tramway bucket, the combination of a Wall having a projection therefrom, a latch pivoted ,to a member independent of said wall, said latch comprising a trinity of radially-projecting members by one of which said latch is pivoted, and a stop or rest for said latch, projecting from said independent member and underlying said latch.

7. In a tramway bucket, the combination of a wall having a projection therefrom, a latch pivoted to a member independent of said wall, said'latch comprising a trinity of radially-projecting members by one olf wbich said latch is pivoted, and a stop underneath said pivoted member, and detached therefrom.

H. In a device or the character described, the combina-.

tion oia buckethaving' walls, a casting fixed to the exterior of one of said walls, a trunnion borne by the casting, and a reinforcing plate on the interior or said wall, and means binding said plate, wall, and casting together.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of a bucket having trunnions, a flat bail for said bucket presenting its narrow edge thereto, and a pendant having flatmetal hooklike ends to hold said ball.

10. In a device or the character described, the combination of a bucket having trunnlons, a flat bail for said bucket presenting its narrow edge thereto, and a pendant having fiat-metal hook-like ends to hold said ball, the arms-0f said pendant being twisted and passing flat with their flat surface at rlght-angles to the flat surface of said ball over the pendant-head.

11. In a tramway bucket, the combination of. a wall having a projection therefrom, and a latch pivoted to a member independent of said wall, said latch having a nose forming an angular crotch between the nose and the latch-arm, said projection normally seating in said angular crotch.

12. In a tramway bucket, the combination or walls, trunnions connected therewith, a bail, and straps attached to said ball tormlng loops in which the trunnion: have their bearings.

13. In u'--pendant, the combination oi. an arm or uninterrupted piece or metal looping over the pendant-head, said arm being twisted with its flat surface at its lower end at right angles to the flat surface passing over the pendant-head, and a list bail depending l'rom said arm having flat metal hook-like ends.

14. In a pendant, the combination or an arm or uninterrupted piece 01! metal looping over the pendant-head, said arm being bent into a flat hook at its lower end, and a bail depending from said arm and fastened in-the hookllke portion.

15. In a bucket-support, the combination of chat bail presenting its narrow edge to the bucket to be supported, a plate attached to said ball and a latch adapted to hold the bucket in place pivoted to said plate.

16. In a device of the character described, the combination of a pendant-head, a continuous piece of metal having pertorations in which a bucket is mounted, said piece 0! metal looping over the pendant head, a cross-piece bracing the two arms of the pendant, and a latch plvotally mounted between said cross-piece and the depending pendant-arm.

17. In a bucket-support, the combination of a fiat bail extending entirely across the 'mouth of the bucket, presenting its narrow edge toward the bucket to be supported, and straps attached to said ball forming loops in which the bucket is pivotally mounted, the narrow edge of said straps being toward said bucket, and said bucket being pivotnlly movable on the flat side thereof.

18. In a bucket-support, the combination of a flat ball with one substantially horizontally-disposed section and two substantially vertically-disposed sections, said horizontal section extending entirely across the mouth 01! the bucket, and said vertical sections projecting downward along the sides 01! said bucket, and straps attached to the vertical sections or said ball and forming loops in which the bucket is pivotally mounted, each of said straps partially vertically overlapping one of said vertical sections on both sides thereof.

19. In a device or the character described, the combination of a pair or trolley sheaves, a beam connecting the same, a pendant, and a pendanbhead pivotally attached to said trolley-beam, said pendant-head being provided with a peripheral recess in which the pendant is seated.

20. In a tramway bucket, the combination of a wall, an L-shaped member, one arm of which is secured to the inside of said wall, the other arm projecting outwardly across the top or said well, and a latch pivoted to the bucket-support, said latch directly engaging the outwardlyprojeeting arm of said L-shaped member.

21. In a tramway bucket, the combination or a wall, an

L-shaped member, one arm of which is secured to the at right angles to said bucket-wall, said projecting arm hiiyin'g rounded-0E corners, and a latch pivoted to the bucket-support, said latch having a nose beveled on both sides, which beveled portions engage the rounded-01f corners of said projecting arm.

22. A tramway bucket having a counterweight attached thereto and so formed as evenly to distribute its 'etiect throughout the transverse elevation of said bucket.

23. A pivoted tramway bucket having a counterweight attached thereto, said counterweight extending through less thanhalt oi! the vertical elevation of one or its walls, but which, also, extends through more than halt of the horizontal extension of same.

24'. A pivoted tramway bucket having a. member secured to the rear wall adjacent the bottom of the bucket, said member extending substantially from one side to the other 0! said bucket, and being of greater thickness than-the bucket with a: which it is attached.

25. A pivoted tramway bucket having a member secured to the rear wall adjacent the bottom 01. the bucket in such position that when said bucket is turned to dumping posilion flilld member will be vertically above the axis line of the bucket-pivot, said member extending substantially from one side to the other of said bucket.

- In testimony whereof we have aiiixed our signatures in 15 presence of two witnesses.

' WALTER s. rmMMnn.

EMli'i J. scl-lmclcunu.

Witnesses:

ELLIOTT R. Gomsm'ru, Gums WALTON. 

